Voice | Equality | Human Rights

Angeline Makore: Sparking the Resilience, Empowerment, Activism and Development of girls and young women

Interviewed and edited by Edinah Masanga

Angel Makore is a young woman on a mission. She is a passionate activist for women and girls rights. She is also studying psychology. She shares her vision with us.

Who is Angel Makore?

I’m a women and girls rights activist and a student psychologist. I run a not for profit organization called Sparking the Resilience, Empowerment, Activism and Development of girls and young women (Spark R.E.A.D). The mission of the organization is to address and redress challenges faced by girls and young women we do this through advocacy, community outreach, psycho-social support, and research.

A typical example of my work is offering counseling and psycho-social support to victims of child marriages or offering information on family planning and HIV/AIDS to young women.

And how did this vision come about? What made you say I want to start an organization for girls, I want to be an activist for women?

My personal experiences and background inspired me to change the lives of girls in my country. Many girls and women in Zimbabwe especially those living in marginalized and poverty stricken areas faces various challenges such as early forced child marriages, gender-based violence, lack of quality education, lack of sexual reproductive health and rights information and services. In order to contribute towards improving the situation, I began to find ways to tackle such problems.

Do you have any role models whose work or life inspires you?

I’m inspired by women and girls who against all odds are championing the rights of girls and women the world-over.

One of them is Malala Yousafzai who is an advocate for girls’ education.

Share with us any challenges.

I face a diverse range of challenges in my work. These include patriarchal beliefs that a woman cannot lead. As a young woman, it is very difficult to be in a decision-making position without facing criticism from male counterparts. In addition, cultural and religious beliefs also hinder my work to empower girl children. More so, as a grassroots organization, it is highly difficult to get funding or support to advance our work.

Angie, you are an amazing young woman. What would be your word of advice to other young women out there?

My advice for women and girls is determination and passion in whatever you do. Despite your current circumstances, you will be able to break the barriers.